In your anger do not sin…search your hearts and be silent.
Psalm 4:4
Oh my goodness I’ve been a walking, talking wad of anger lately.
My Celiac Disease diagnosis triggered a grieving in me…
And I hung out in the angry stage of grief for several days.
And since Sunday when I helped break up a dog attack, I’ve been in an all-out battle with anger.
“Take every thought captive”…
2 Corinthians 10:5
Captive.
Now there’s a word that implies war.
That’s how I feel, like a war is gong on inside…
*****
Sometimes my serenity is threatened. That’s a fact … it’s how I respond to the threat that matters.
*****
This morning, in prayer, I heard these two things…
‘in your anger don’t sin…be quiet.’
and…‘take every thought captive’…
So today I will be quiet…not talking about what’s making me angry.
And I’ll put a guard at the door of my mind and monitor my thoughts, only letting in the ones that bring peace.
*****
How do you respond when your serenity is threatened?
Love to you my friends…
A walking, talking wad…….: )
I turn up the music, the good stuff ~
Hi Robin ~ I wish I could do something to help ~ the only thing I could think of was to let you know about a blog called Keep It Simple, Keep It Fresh ~ Lissa has had celiac disease for many years and she shares her recipes and tips on her beautiful blog. Here is the link: http://keepitsimplekeepitfresh.blogspot.com/. I have followed Lissa on her previous blog, Humble Pie, where she has shared a very difficult time in her personal life and how she made it through with the help of the Lord. She also shared recipes and such on that blog ~ here is the link: http://adashofhumblepie.blogspot.com/.
Hope this helps a little.
God bless,
JoAnne
JoAnne…thank you! I’ll visit both of her blogs. You reaching out to me is such a help. love to you…xo
I run and hide. j/k. 🙂 This past week brought an onslaught that neither I, nor the other leaders, was expecting. it has threatened my serenity. My bride is taking it a little harder since she sees it as a possible threat. I got angry, but then feisty, and now feel sad. Sad that this person feels the way he does. Sad for the ignorance he exhibited. I am praying for him and the situation to be solved. I have been unable to ride due to weather & schedule, but plan to do that today. i also turn the music up loud and do the Bowflex. There, just writing this makes me feel better. LOL. Love and hugs robin.
My thoughts kick into high gear, running ahead of me like a greyhound.
Only one solution, just like you said…take every thought captive. Not easy or quick, is it!
Thank you again.
Music helps me too ! Sometimes I feel like screaming my head off so I run find my ipod!! I needed to read your post today. Your words always encourage me. Thanks so much. Now turn those tunes up!! Enjoy your day today..you will be in my thoughts. xo
Robin,
Thanks so much for the gentle reminder…..blessings to you this day!
Argh! My comment didn’t go through and I can’t remember everything I said! There’s anger for you.
I was not so much angry as relieved that I had a diagnosis for something that was going on with me, Robin. For 9 years {and 3 doctors} no on diagnosed me properly. I had to diagnose myself! As soon as I went on a gluten free diet I felt fantastic. No more dreading going out to dinner with my hubby or to family parties. I knew what to avoid now. I look at it this way. Someone didn’t want me to feel like half my life was being spent in the bathroom; Someone led me to look up what celiac disease was when I was typing a report that mentioned it at work; Someone made it so that I can now function as I did before this disease took over. I have my life back! Bottom line – it’s food. They make gluten free food. There are more and more stores carrying it now then 3 years ago when I was looking for it. There are more and more choices out there. Even the local pizza parlors are offering gluten free pizzas!
Kathy…wonderful, practical approach dear friend. xo
Oh Robin…I so understand that angry turmoil inside! Like you…God reminded me how to respond as well as who the “author” of that anger (fear) really is! God is the author of love and peace and wholeness…..the enemy is the author of turmoil, anger, fear and destruction.
And here are the Words He gave me…….
” For we are not wrestling with flesh & blood (contending only with physical opponents) but against the despotisms, against the powers, against (the master spirits who are) the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Therefore, put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day (of danger), and having done all (the crisis demands), to stand firmly in your place. …….” Ephesians 6:13, 14…..and read on through 18
Praying for you sweetie!
<3 Kathleen
My serenity has definitely been threatened this past year. My mother died a horrible death from a botched surgery, my dad disowned me and 2 other of his children right afterwards, my husband lost TWO jobs in that one year, and several other serious things. Unbelievable! I have had to do combat with my own fear and anger. There is absolutely no serenity in this world apart from God. I journal through the Psalms, verse by meaningful verse. It is the one thing that keeps me grounded and my heart at peace.
Oh Robin…hugs sweet one. I can’t imagine the year you’ve had…when you say journal through the Psalms to keep you grounded I take that very seriously. I’m going to start. Thank you to the moon for sharing…love to you. xo
One of my favorite images in Scripture is that of being under the ‘shadow of his wings’. I imagine myself (which I am!) as his precious child, climbing up and tucking myself as far back as possible underneath the protection of his wing where I can be held, comforted and find rest. Psalm 63:7, Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.; Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.; Psalm 17:8, Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. How great is it that not only are we the ‘apple’ of his eye and he is our ‘shield and rampart’ but while we’re under that wing . . . we can SING!? Praying you will find peace and encouragement today through Christ and His Word.
Oh, and one more thing 🙂 — don’t let people tell you that you need to “tough it out” and “be strong” (even in the Lord) — while that’s all true, there is a time and a place to just ‘check out’ for awhile, hang up the ‘do not disturb’ sign and climb up into your Savior’s lap for a nice rest!
Lauren…thank you. sigh…wonderful advice. xo
Robin,
I love what Lauren said about being tucked far back under God’s wing. How comforting.
As for me, I separate myself from people. The good news is we know now how to pray specifically for you.
it all takes work, doesn’t it friend? my mistake is usually that i don’t let it out. if i can speak it to a trusted friend, the situation that has me brewing, i then immediately ask God to fill the space inside of me that had the anger in it. I talk, visualize it leaving me, and ask God to fill me.
then i set about the task of finding the beauty in my life that He has placed there to fill me.
thanks for that! i just try to explore my behavior my nature ask god the best question
why!? not with anger but with a strong need to understand .
exploring my nature always shows me the need to change something higher than atittude but the real ability to see things differently
thanks
Hi Robin,
Usually, I go for a long long walk, listen to some music while walking, that really calms me down and helps me to organize my thoughts…
Good luck and have a lovely day!
Oh Robin, my serenity is shaky right now cause there is alot of Joe’s family DRAMA!!!!!!!! But, we are leaving on vacation in the morning so I am TRYING to stay calm and remeber that There is not a thing I can do to change this situation so I trust God to work it out. I am stepping back and not engaging. I TRY not to react, but take a breath and trust in God. Notice I said a TRY. It is not easy, I know. I pray you find peace and serenity dear friend. YOu are in my thoughts and prayers. XOXO, Pinky
Robin, I feel for you, bless your heart. You are really going through a change right now. One that you didn’t seek or desire. I have to believe that the answers will come to you, delivered with love. Sending kind and gentle thoughts.
Well – although I’m NO good at controlling my anger MOST of the time….I’ve thought much about how to control it and the only thing that honestly helps me is to try to figure out the deepest root of the anger. Am I angry because this is happening to me? Or am I actually angry that no one understands me right now? Am I angry at these people? Or am I really angry at the sin? Am I feeling powerless? Or am I just lacking knowledge right now? Is this God telling me to be this way? Or is Satan totally winning this one at the moment? (That one always breaks me down btw… ) That’s just a few I’ve dealt with THIS WEEK!! haha. Oh me – daily basis on the serenity threatening these days!
I have Deuteronomy 33:25 written in the front of my bible. Love that verse. One commentary regarding the actual meaning says “thou shalt never know feebleness or decay…” I like to look at that when I feel totally defeated by family drama, or when I’m sick or when I just generally feel like I’m being challenged.
I hope you feel better soon. Maybe you just need to take some serious “You time” and respond “no” to everything for a bit! It can be very very refreshing and the key for me when getting my thoughts back on track!
I loved reading through everyone’s suggestions because we have all been there and will be there again whether it is anger or some other emotion. Reading and meditating on God’s Word and just talking to God works for me. I normally always go to Psalms when I am troubled about something or some days when I just want to praise. Praise is key during this time in your life. Psalm 34:1 says, I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Key word…continually! Praise unlocks God’s power in our lives! 🙂 I also love to listen to music too. One of my “go to” songs is Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, Much of You. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unlF2jrLzhQ&feature=related I’ll be praying for you Robin. 🙂 You’ll be back to your magnificent self very soon. 😉
When i think of all those moments when i got angry, i think they where all unnecessary.
I gained absolutely nothing by letting my anger go. There is also that feeling of lost respect. No matter what was the reason of getting mad – it is always perceived negatively .
I learned to control it by asking myself a simple question “What is it going to change?”
By the way- I just discovered your blog Robin 🙂 (and am telling friends about it)
i use pills to make me calm. sometimes i need something else, more natural, so i swim one hour. it helps me a lot.
My biggest struggle when serenity is threatened isn’t usually anger–I WORRY. (Sometimes to the point of panic.) This last week for us has been, to say the least, a struggle–found out I am (unexpectedly) pregnant (YAY!!), then started struggling with a possible miscarriage 5 days later. Two ultrasounds, some labwork, and one trip to the ER later, the only answers we’ve gotten is that “these things happen sometimes,” “this is just God’s way of taking care of a potential problem” if we do lose the baby, and we’ll find out more on the 21st when we have another ultrasound and an OB visit. There’s a part of my mind that understands, but the other part just keeps reminding God how desperately I want to be a mama, and how much I already love this baby growing inside of me.
What you said–“And I’ll put a guard at the door of my mind and monitor my thoughts, only letting in the ones that bring peace”–is going to serve as a reminder for me until Tuesday, when hopefully (and prayerfully–is that a word? Looks funny…) I see my little one on the ultrasound and the OB says everything looks good. I would like to be able to say that I gave it over to God and simply trusted. Until then, I’m working on it. Thanks for the reminder—I hope your weekend was wonderful!
Serena…I go straight to anger too my friend…sigh. I’m praying for you…will email.
Robin,
I was diagnosed with CD almost 3 years ago. It is overwhelming at first. You need to grieve the loss and then move on and focus on the many foods that are naturally gluten-free and the many foods are available that are prepared today that are GF using a few modifications. My advice to you is the same given to me by my gastro: join a celiac support group. No one knows more about how to navigate the GF lifestyle than those who live it. Not only do you need to learn about what you can and cannot eat, but you must familiarize yourself with cross-contamination..you need your very own toaster, no double dipping in peanut butter, mayo or jelly jars or butter dishes (have your own and mark them with a Sharpie pen) or teach your family to use a spoon and have them all learn not to “double dip”, do not take regular communion wafers, do not use the same wooden spoons, cutting boards and colanders as in the past…get new ones and only use them for GF food prep. These, along with wonderful suggestions for where to shop, new GF food products, and restaurants that will accommodate your diet are all available at support group meetings. If you would like more info, e-mail me at [email protected] and I will e-mail you more helpful info. I learned everything I could about CD and am now a facilitator of a support group for the Celiac Disease Foundation. My goal is to help other newly diagnosed celiacs and to promote awareness in the health care community so that everyone who has symptoms can get diagnosed quickly, start to feel better, and most importantly, avoid the serious complications that those with celiac disease can develop if they continue to ingest gluten. There is life after being diagnosed, God has a plan for you, my dear.
Blessings,
Andrea
Andrea…oh thank you my friend! you have helped me so much with all this great info! My GI doctor told me to get involved in a group so you are the second person who’s said that! Where do you live? I’ll email you…love and big hugs. xo
The 1000 gifts journal has been such a God send to me. Making a conscious effort to look for the blessing in the midst of sickness, fatigue, and paint gives me joy and contentment.
One thing to remember is the stages of grief are a cycle and there is no “right” amount of time to be in them. They come and go, sometimes without warning, but it is part of the learning, growing, and healing. And yes, sometimes listening with you heart is more challenging, but that is where you find the healing. God understands your anger, he just wants you to remember he is with you through that too.
Thank you for your honesty. I have been on vacation and my work schedule has messed up my affirmation time. For serenity, I have had to go to God and admit I am powerless to control my anger and myself. I am praying for His Spirit to change me and fill me. I pray He makes us aware of our serenity stealers and He is our only shot. Thanks Robin praying for you and appreciate your prayers!